So I know there's a love affair with cargo area builds (me included)

[BIGdaddy]

....but I'm honestly thinking a nice set of Zarges cases (or similar) might be my best setup.

My requirements

1. I need my cargo area clear of obstructions to carry strollers, groceries, tools, car parts, and to be a part of an extended load area with the seat down. XJ's can carry a CRAPtonne of stuff with the rear seat folded since the sides of the car really are fairly squarish.

2. Since my camping setup (which currently is just a jumble of mismatched containers) is fairly minimal I see no reason why I shouldn't be able to fit into tough/organized modular containers that I can just throw in my garage "ready to go" till our next trip.

3. We live next to a canyon, and we have very determined rodents. Plastic and wood are not obstacles. They eat right through it. I've already had some of our expensive gear damaged due to this. Metal is needed.

4. We are committed to not having a trailer, and will use rooftop storage for our clothes, camp pads, and sleeping bags, allowing the rear area to remain free to transport our food and cookset.


I think it'll be nice to have the empty deck of the cargo area for my kids to sit in or to have a place to put food items during mealtime while in camp. Not saying this is a new idea at all, btw. I was actually re-reading Rosanne Hansons build of her FJ60 using zarges cases and got to thinking that I really liked how useful those cases would leave my somewhat smallish cargo capacity since I'd only have tiedowns left once they were removed.

Anyone else go this route or have any tips on cases that work well with our sized rigs?

I really would like something that allows me to keep the cases tied down, but also allows for easy access for a quick snack/leg stretch stop. Seems like the zarges cases do this pretty well.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Well, I found some pelican cases for AWESOME prices, but I'm still shopping around for those containers presently.

We did, though, pull the trigger on a centerpiece for our camp kitchen setup.

Again, we had some specific wants:

- Lightweight, but sturdy
- Big enough to "actually" use
- Good warranty (we're tough on gear)
- Able to be placed away from the vehicle so that we don't feel like we're camping in a parking lot when staying @ a developed campground.
- Keeps stove/cutting board from sliding around while in use.
- Able to be loaded into any vehicle we choose


In the end for the price, we felt like REI's camp kitchen was the best choice. It gets great reviews, and having already heated up some buttered tortilla's on my new griddle placed atop my vintage coleman stove, I can assure you of it's awesomeness. Amazing, relaxing feeling to have enough room to cook a good meal.

This one: http://www.rei.com/product/765279?s...10456937&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Aff-_-4170002-_-10456937

It packs up to a reletively small size...about 4" thick, and about 18"x24" or so (the size of the frame and surface area of the tables). VERY doable with our overhead cargo box. only weighs about 15-20lbs or so, I think.

 

[PMA4x4]

So I'll try and give you what info I have on mine. I built this one about 4 yrs ago. Yes, it is made out of wood but its 1/2" walls. Both drawers slide out and are 24" deep. the tops of the drawers also double as a workbench. I used piano hinges from Lowes and a lid hinge to prop the lids open, also from Lowes.

The drawer slides are the 24" heavy duty ones from... yep you guest it Lowes.
to mount it I used two of the existing cargo ring holes and then drilled to more and bolted it to the floor. At the time i built this i still used my rear seat so i agnle the front to match the angle of the seat back. if you still use the rear seat this tunrs into a nice spot for driveshafts and other spare items. The paint is a flat gray oil base that resists solvents and other car related fuilds. It also seals the wood.

Once i feel confident enough in aluminum welding I plan to remake this exact design in .125" Aluminum. I will just have the parts water jet cut then they just need to be welded together.

Hope you can use any of this.

Sorry about the links, for some reason i can embed them in the post.

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox1.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox2.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox3.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox4.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox5.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox6.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox7.jpg

 

[BIGdaddy]

So I'll try and give you what info I have on mine. I built this one about 4 yrs ago. Yes, it is made out of wood but its 1/2" walls. Both drawers slide out and are 24" deep. the tops of the drawers also double as a workbench. I used piano hinges from Lowes and a lid hinge to prop the lids open, also from Lowes.

The drawer slides are the 24" heavy duty ones from... yep you guest it Lowes.
to mount it I used two of the existing cargo ring holes and then drilled to more and bolted it to the floor. At the time i built this i still used my rear seat so i agnle the front to match the angle of the seat back. if you still use the rear seat this tunrs into a nice spot for driveshafts and other spare items. The paint is a flat gray oil base that resists solvents and other car related fuilds. It also seals the wood.

Once i feel confident enough in aluminum welding I plan to remake this exact design in .125" Aluminum. I will just have the parts water jet cut then they just need to be welded together.

Hope you can use any of this.

Sorry about the links, for some reason i can embed them in the post.

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox1.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox2.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox3.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox4.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox5.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox6.jpg

http://www.packmuleadventures.com/temp/cargobox/cargobox7.jpg

thanks for the detailed post....

That's exactly what I don't want, though...eepwall:

I don't want anything in the cargo area other than tie downs when I'm not loaded out for camping.

I was hoping to find an owner that has figured out how to use zarges cases or pelican cases or similar, hopefully with part numbers/pictures, etc.

thanks, tho!

 

[SSF556]

BigDaddy I am in the same boat..not sure what to do. Since it is just me and the wife I really do not need a second row of seats....and I actually removed them tonight just to see what kind of space it frees up.

But I also want to be able to remove the platform and install the seats in a minimum amount of time.

Thanks for the REI link...I like that setup a lot.

 

[Black Dog]

I use this giant beige case that I got on sale from Pamida a while back (will get a pick tomorrow) that is pretty heavy duty and has good sturdy handles and wheels that I could care less about. Its not a pelican case or anything and not even water proof but it does the job pretty well.

 

[PMA4x4]

thanks for the detailed post....

That's exactly what I don't want, though...eepwall:

I don't want anything in the cargo area other than tie downs when I'm not loaded out for camping.

I was hoping to find an owner that has figured out how to use zarges cases or pelican cases or similar, hopefully with part numbers/pictures, etc.

thanks, tho!

Sorry I think I may have totally miss understood your vision and for that I am sorry. Are you basically wanting suitcase/cargobox you just stack in and remove when you are not using the vehicle?

I take it this is not a dedicated expedition vehicle?

 

[BIGdaddy]

BigDaddy I am in the same boat..not sure what to do. Since it is just me and the wife I really do not need a second row of seats....and I actually removed them tonight just to see what kind of space it frees up.

But I also want to be able to remove the platform and install the seats in a minimum amount of time.

Thanks for the REI link...I like that setup a lot.

Yeah, its very awesome. :sombrero: I've literally been cooking and playing with it for like a week solid. VERY cool unit.


I'm glad there's someone else trying to retain the utility part of "Sport Utility" like I am.

I actually really like those Caribbou tie down's that a vendor carries elsewhere on this site. nice that you wouldn't have to deal with ratchet straps and that they don't leave very much behind when your cargo isn't mounted.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Sorry I think I may have totally miss understood your vision and for that I am sorry. Are you basically wanting suitcase/cargobox you just stack in and remove when you are not using the vehicle?

I take it this is not a dedicated expedition vehicle?

no worries! like i said, thank you for the detailed write-up!

nope, not a dedicated expo rig. It's a jack of all trades.

As much as other vehicles do things better in their niche, my XJ does them all supurbly, hardly ever limiting me. (Then again, I probably don't have to tell you that..haha!)

 

[BIGdaddy]

I use this giant beige case that I got on sale from Pamida a while back (will get a pick tomorrow) that is pretty heavy duty and has good sturdy handles and wheels that I could care less about. Its not a pelican case or anything and not even water proof but it does the job pretty well.

Very cool, man. I'd LOVE pic, when you get a chance.

 

[PMA4x4]

I had a friend in his XJ use a break down style kitchen and about half a dozen of the rubbermaid action packer containers. He still needed it as DD so it all had to come out at the end of day.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I had a friend in his XJ use a break down style kitchen and about half a dozen of the rubbermaid action packer containers. He still needed it as DD so it all had to come out at the end of day.

yeah, that's basically the direction I'm headed in, but as I think I put in my first post, I have to have something substantial to store my gear in, cuz the rodent population in and near my garage is fairly ferocious.

They'd eat right through an action packer.

I know this cuz they ate through a heavy mil rubbermaid brand trash can that had a bit of food matter in the bottom (part of a hamberger bun or something) and started living in it, using the paper products to nest in.

:Wow1::Wow1::Wow1::Wow1:

 

[Bennyhana]

I'm contemplating the same kind of storage solution. My idea for my Jeep is a removable plywood floor that on one side has a fridge slide and on the other has some loops for strapping down my boxes. I use mainly "really usefull box" brand cases from office depot. My Jeep is also my daily driver, school bus, mall crawler and offroad machine. My only hitch is the under floor cubby and jack storage area. not sure what I'm going to do about that..

 

[BIGdaddy]

I'm contemplating the same kind of storage solution. My idea for my Jeep is a removable plywood floor that on one side has a fridge slide and on the other has some loops for strapping down my boxes. I use mainly "really usefull box" brand cases from office depot. My Jeep is also my daily driver, school bus, mall crawler and offroad machine. My only hitch is the under floor cubby and jack storage area. not sure what I'm going to do about that..

That's a really good idea!

We have a few of those boxes ourselves. Alas, again, I don't they'd hold up stored where we need to keep them...

but I love the "substrate" idea you have.